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100+ Free ABC Wastewater Treatment Class II Practice Questions

Pass your ABC Wastewater Treatment Operator Class II Certification Exam exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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Approximately how many mg of alkalinity (as CaCO3) are consumed per mg of ammonia-nitrogen oxidized during nitrification?

A
B
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D
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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: ABC Wastewater Treatment Class II Exam

100

Scored Questions

WPI Class II exam outline

+10

Possible Unscored Pretest

WPI need-to-know criteria

3 hours

Time Limit

WPI-style exam policy

70%

Passing Score

WPI-style exam policy

Class II

Small-to-Medium Facility Tier

ABC/WPI certification structure

$69+

WPI Exam Sitting Fee

WPI / PSI exam process

The ABC/WPI Wastewater Treatment Operator Class II exam uses the 2025 standardized blueprint with 100 scored multiple-choice questions, up to 10 unscored pretest items, a 3-hour time limit, and a 70% passing score. Class II covers all Class I fundamentals plus deeper activated sludge process control (SRT, F/M, SVI), biological nutrient removal (nitrification, denitrification, EBPR), tertiary filtration, anaerobic and aerobic digestion, 40 CFR Part 503 biosolids handling, and Class II safety responsibilities. Approximately 14% of questions involve calculations. Class II typically authorizes operation of small-to-medium facilities, with thresholds set by each state.

Sample ABC Wastewater Treatment Class II Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your ABC Wastewater Treatment Class II exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which formula correctly calculates Solids Retention Time (SRT) for an activated sludge plant?
A.(MLSS times aeration volume) divided by (WAS rate times WAS concentration plus effluent TSS times flow)
B.(MLSS divided by aeration volume) times WAS rate
C.(WAS rate times WAS concentration) divided by (MLSS times aeration volume)
D.(MLVSS divided by influent BOD) times aeration time
Explanation: SRT (also called sludge age or MCRT) equals the mass of solids in the aeration basin divided by the mass of solids leaving the system per day. That leaving mass is the wasted sludge (WAS rate times WAS concentration) plus any solids lost in the effluent (effluent TSS times effluent flow).
2A Class II plant targets full nitrification at 20 degrees C. Which SRT range is generally appropriate?
A.1 to 3 days
B.3 to 5 days
C.10 to 15 days
D.30 to 45 days
Explanation: Nitrifying bacteria are slow growers, so the system must hold sludge long enough for them to reproduce faster than they wash out. At 20 degrees C, an SRT of about 10 to 15 days is typical. Cold-weather plants need longer SRTs.
3An operator wants to lengthen SRT. What is the correct action?
A.Increase the WAS rate
B.Decrease the WAS rate
C.Decrease RAS to the aeration basin
D.Raise effluent TSS
Explanation: Wasting less sludge keeps more solids in the system, which raises SRT. Wasting more sludge does the opposite. Operators should change WAS rates gradually so MLSS does not swing too fast.
4What does the F/M ratio compare?
A.Filamentous organisms to microorganisms
B.Pounds of BOD applied to pounds of MLVSS under aeration
C.Pounds of TSS wasted to pounds of MLSS in the clarifier
D.Effluent ammonia to influent ammonia
Explanation: F/M (Food-to-Microorganism ratio) divides the daily pounds of BOD applied by the pounds of MLVSS in the aeration basin. It is one of the most direct indicators of how heavily loaded the biomass is.
5As SRT increases, what generally happens to the F/M ratio at constant influent loading?
A.F/M increases
B.F/M decreases
C.F/M stays exactly the same
D.F/M doubles each day
Explanation: Higher SRT means more MLVSS is held in the system. With the same daily BOD applied, dividing by more biomass produces a lower F/M. Long SRT and low F/M tend to occur together, often pushing the plant toward nitrification.
6What does Sludge Volume Index (SVI) measure?
A.The dry weight of solids wasted each day
B.Settled sludge volume in mL/L divided by MLSS in g/L, expressed in mL/g
C.The ratio of MLVSS to MLSS
D.Total volatile acids in the digester
Explanation: SVI is calculated from a 30-minute settling test in a 1-liter graduated cylinder. The volume of settled sludge in mL divided by MLSS in g/L gives SVI in mL/g. Lower SVI generally means denser, better-settling sludge.
7MLSS is 2,500 mg/L and the 30-minute settled volume is 250 mL/L. What is the SVI?
A.10 mL/g
B.25 mL/g
C.100 mL/g
D.1,000 mL/g
Explanation: SVI equals (settled volume in mL/L divided by MLSS in mg/L) times 1,000. (250 / 2,500) times 1,000 = 100 mL/g. An SVI near 100 mL/g usually indicates well-settling sludge.
8What is the difference between MLSS and MLVSS?
A.MLSS includes only volatile solids; MLVSS includes inert solids
B.MLSS is total suspended solids in the mixed liquor; MLVSS is the volatile (organic, biomass) fraction
C.MLSS measures pin floc; MLVSS measures dispersed growth
D.MLSS is measured in the clarifier; MLVSS in the aeration basin
Explanation: MLSS is total suspended solids in the mixed liquor. MLVSS is the volatile portion that burns off at 550 degrees C, which approximates active biological mass. Many process calculations such as F/M use MLVSS.
9Pin floc and a turbid effluent often indicate which sludge condition?
A.Young, underaerated sludge with very low SRT
B.Overoxidized, old sludge with high SRT
C.Filamentous bulking
D.Denitrification in the clarifier
Explanation: Pin floc means tiny, dense particles that do not settle well, often with turbidity above. It typically results from overoxidation at very long SRTs. The fix is usually to increase wasting and bring SRT back toward the design range.
10Dispersed growth and cloudy effluent at very young sludge age most likely means:
A.SRT is far too long
B.Microorganisms have not had time to form good floc
C.Nitrification is complete
D.Phosphorus is being released in the clarifier
Explanation: When SRT and MLSS are too low, microbes do not have time to flocculate. The effluent stays cloudy with dispersed cells. The operator usually needs to reduce wasting until SRT and MLSS rebuild.

About the ABC Wastewater Treatment Class II Exam

Class II practice exam for the ABC/WPI standardized wastewater treatment operator certification used by most state programs. Class II authorizes operation of small-to-medium facilities and adds biological nutrient removal and advanced process control to the Class I foundation.

Assessment

100 scored multiple-choice questions plus up to 10 unscored pretest questions

Time Limit

180 minutes

Passing Score

70%

Exam Fee

Approximately $69 WPI exam sitting fee plus state application fees (Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) / Water Professionals International (WPI))

ABC Wastewater Treatment Class II Exam Content Outline

40%

Treatment Process Evaluation and Adjustment

Activated sludge process control using SRT, F/M, SVI, and settleability; nitrification and denitrification; biological and chemical phosphorus removal; filamentous bulking; selectors; tertiary filtration; and effluent disinfection.

30%

Equipment Operation and Maintenance

Headworks screens and grit, RAS and WAS pumps, blowers and diffusers, clarifier mechanisms, tertiary filters, UV and chlorine systems, anaerobic and aerobic digesters, thickening and dewatering, and SCADA instrumentation.

15%

Laboratory Analysis

Sampling and preservation, QA/QC, BOD, TSS, MLSS, MLVSS, SVI, DO, alkalinity, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, phosphorus, chlorine residual, and wastewater math for loading and dosage.

15%

Safety, Security, and Administrative Procedures

Confined space entry, digester methane and H2S hazards, chemical safety, NPDES permit compliance, 503 biosolids recordkeeping, emergency response, and facility security.

How to Pass the ABC Wastewater Treatment Class II Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70%
  • Assessment: 100 scored multiple-choice questions plus up to 10 unscored pretest questions
  • Time limit: 180 minutes
  • Exam fee: Approximately $69 WPI exam sitting fee plus state application fees

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

ABC Wastewater Treatment Class II Study Tips from Top Performers

1Build a working knowledge of SRT, F/M, and SVI before any other Class II topic because they drive most process control questions on the exam.
2Know the difference between nitrification (autotrophic, aerobic, alkalinity-consuming) and denitrification (heterotrophic, anoxic, alkalinity-producing) cold.
3Memorize the BOD to N to P ratio of 100 to 5 to 1 for healthy activated sludge nutrient balance and recognize when a deficiency causes filamentous bulking.
4Learn the major filamentous organisms and the conditions that favor each (low DO, low F/M, low pH, FOG, nutrient deficiency, septic influent).
5Practice EBPR sequence: anaerobic VFA uptake and P release, then aerobic excess P uptake by PAOs (Accumulibacter).
6Understand 40 CFR Part 503 Class A versus Class B pathogen reduction and the vector attraction reduction options before exam day.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ABC Wastewater Treatment Operator Class II exam?

Class II is the second tier of the ABC/WPI standardized wastewater treatment operator certification used by most state authorities. It authorizes operation of small-to-medium facilities and adds biological nutrient removal, anaerobic digestion, and advanced process control to the Class I foundation.

How many questions are on the Class II exam?

The Class II exam includes 100 scored multiple-choice questions and may include up to 10 unscored pretest items. Jurisdictions using the WPI format allow 3 hours and require a 70% passing score on the 100 scored questions.

How does Class II differ from Class I?

Class II covers every Class I topic plus deeper activated sludge process control such as setting SRT and F/M, calculating SVI, nitrification and denitrification, EBPR, anaerobic digestion, tertiary filtration, 40 CFR Part 503 biosolids requirements, and digester safety. Class I focuses more on fundamentals and recall.

Is Class I required before Class II?

Most states require operators to hold Class I certification, plus documented operating experience, before sitting for Class II. Some jurisdictions allow direct entry to Class II for operators with significant prior experience. Confirm the rule with your state certifying authority.

What size facility can a Class II operator run?

Class II typically authorizes operation of small-to-medium wastewater treatment facilities. Exact facility classification thresholds (population served, flow, treatment complexity) are set by each state authority and are not uniform across jurisdictions.

How should I study for Class II?

Focus first on activated sludge process control: SRT, F/M, SVI, RAS and WAS rates. Then biological nutrient removal, anaerobic and aerobic digestion, 503 biosolids handling, and safety. Approximately 14% of questions are calculation-based, so practice wastewater math and process control formulas.